Camp Evergreen

CAMP EVERGREEN 2017 BY THE NUMBERS

41 Campers

24 Teen Campers

17 Youth Campers

62 Dedicated & Passionate Volunteers

1 new evergreen tree planted

Hundreds of memories

The youth campers at the 24th annual Camp Evergreen had the opportunity to take part in activities such as horseback riding, swimming, fishing, and games as well as special bereavement programming such as talking about their loved one who died, creating a memory box in their loved one’s honor, and a tree planting ceremony where each child took part in planting the evergreen tree as their loved one’s name was read aloud. For the past 24 years, 924 campers and 570 volunteers and staff have partook in this great program!

The teen campers had the opportunity to take part in a variety of camp activities including a high ropes challenge course. The teens also had large and small group time where they got the chance to tell their stories and learn about grief and coping skills. The teens remembered their loved ones in a nighttime luminary ceremony as well as a ceremony where their loved ones’ names were read aloud as they gathered around the evergreen tree.

One teen camper explained, “What I liked best about Camp Evergreen was being able to be around others in a similar situation.”

Grief can be a very isolating experience for kids and teens as they often feel like they are the only ones going through it. Camp Evergreen provides them with the opportunity to meet other kids and teens who are grieving too, making the experience a less lonely one. Camp is also a unique place for these kids and teens to be surrounded by caring adults who understand their grief and allow them to just be kids.